Current teacher sanctions won't affect winter sports seasons

Burlington Post

The current sanctions being imposed by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation won’t affect the winter high school sports season for Halton students, according to a Halton District School Board spokesperson.
Debra McFadden, executive officer of human resources for the HDSB and chief negotiator in board bargaining sessions with local OSTTF units, said Wednesday that unless sanctions escalate, no games will be postponed or cancelled as a result of OSSTF directives.
“We haven’t seen any cancellation of any of our sports so far,” said McFadden, “and I haven’t heard there will be any impact (on the winter season).”
The main sports contested during the the winter high school season include boys’ basketball, girls’ volleyball, boys’ and girls’ hockey, competitive wrestling and swimming.
In response to the recent passing of Bill 115, which imposed wage freezes and curbed the ability of teachers to strike, OSSTF sanctions announced last week required that public high school teachers cease to accept supervisory assignments outside of regular classroom duties. The federation has reportedly also asked teachers not to cover classes for other teachers, which would affect teachers who coach teams during school hours.
McFadden said the HDSB has addressed that issue by hiring supply teachers to fill in for coaches when necessary.
“What we’ve done in Halton is we’ve said to send a minimum number of coaches that you need to ensure the safety of students,” McFadden said. “In the past, maybe more coaches might have gone, but we have not impeded the running of sports.”
One visible impact of the current sanctions was the lack of student fan buses for Halton football championship games at McMaster University. Students had to find their own ways to the games while former teachers were hired to supervise the crowds.
“Usually, there’d be a buy-out (from class),” said White Oaks Grade 12 student Tijana Radman, who attended the Wildcats’ Tier 3 senior final against Aldershot Monday along with Alena Alexandra and approximately 50 other White Oaks students. “If people had tests and stuff, they couldn’t be excused because there were no buy-outs. It’s a disappointment. (The crowd) could have been a lot bigger.”
McFadden said the board has scheduled meetings with OSTTF units in the near future.
“These sanctions are impacting our students, but we’re doing the best we can. For the most part, we haven’t impacted extra-curricular activities,” she said.
“I remain cautiously optimistic we will be able to reach a settlement.”